High school is one of the only times for students to grow and figure out who they are as people and who they want to be. Religion is a big factor in people’s lives that shapes their values, but what leads people to religion or draws them away?

Catholic Connect Club President Kathleen Scott ’27 reflects on growing up in the Catholic church and realizes just how important the community is and how it helps her through high school.

“It [Catholicism] helps me connect with other Christians,” Scott said. “And even praying in the middle of the day, if I need it, occasionally I’ll ask God for help with my homework just to help me focus.”

For some, religion gives a sense of security and community, which can be beneficial to oneself. Some find it easier to talk to God and ask for help, since they grew up in a religious community. Others, who grew up in a religious household, may feel that the pressures of religion and the rigorous rules make them feel confined and more harmful. Jordyn Grobel ’26 finds it hard to connect with religion and considers herself an atheist.

“I grew up in a family that was pretty religious, like the ones that went to church once or twice a week, prayed at every meal and before bed,” Grobel said. “For me, I always felt like I had to be this picture-perfect person when I was far from it. It felt like people used religion to control every part of my past, present, and future, which I did not like.”

With teenagers worrying about the ideal expectations of what it means to be the “perfect” religious person, Kendra Caralis, a sociology and world history teacher, raises a strong point: students don’t need to worry too much about finding the right religion right now; they have time.

“College is a common time where students are going through self-discovery and often drift to what best suits their needs,” Caralis said.

Overall, religion is a significant factor in people’s lives, whether it has a positive or negative impact. Some students who don’t believe in a religion have felt social pressures that it was not for them, while others have felt accepted in a big community. Therefore, there are many factors that go into deciding whether religion is for someone or not.

“People all have their own reasons for finding and following religion or not,” Caralis said. “But some people find a sense of belonging, purpose, and belief with religion.”